How to grow cherry tomato in Australia
Also known as: Tommy Toe
Cherry tomatoes are the most reliable tomato most Australian gardeners can grow. They handle heat better than large varieties, set fruit in conditions that would cause blossom drop in a Grosse Lisse, resist cracking and splitting, and produce continuously over months rather than in a short burst. If you've had bad experiences with full-size tomatoes — especially in humid coastal climates or hot inland summers — start with cherries and you'll likely have a completely different outcome.
When to plant
The planting windows for cherry tomatoes are broadly the same as full-size tomatoes — soil needs to be above 16°C, frost risk needs to have passed, and there needs to be enough warm-weather growing time ahead. The difference is that cherries have a wider successful window in marginal climates because they're more tolerant of heat and shorter seasons.
Plant April to July, during the dry season. This is where cherry tomatoes really shine over full-size types — they handle the residual humidity and warmth far better. Expect harvest from June through September. Vietnamese-bred and other small-fruited types perform particularly well.
A longer window than full-size tomatoes — February to August. The autumn-to-winter window (Feb–April) is most productive, with plants fruiting through winter. A late-winter planting (July–August) catches the cooler tail of the season. Cherries can sometimes manage a summer crop in subtropical zones where full-size tomatoes fail.
September to November for the main spring planting. A February planting is also viable for an autumn-to-early-winter harvest. Cherries often outproduce large tomatoes in these climates because they keep flowering and setting fruit longer.
October to November in Melbourne — wait until after Melbourne Cup weekend in early November to avoid late frosts. Cherries are the better choice if your summer is unpredictable, because they'll start producing earlier and keep going later than large varieties.
November in most years, possibly late October in a warm spring. Cherry tomatoes are genuinely the only tomato most Hobart and Canberra gardeners should bother with — the shorter days-to-harvest (typically 70–80 days for cherries vs 100+ for large types) is what makes a harvest possible in a short season.
August to September. Cherry tomatoes tolerate the heat better than large varieties — they'll keep setting fruit at temperatures that cause blossom drop in Grosse Lisse. Plant early so the productive period falls in spring and early summer, before the worst heat arrives.
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Open the full planting calendar →How to plant
Cherry tomatoes are usually grown from seedlings. If you're starting from seed, allow 6–8 weeks indoors before planting out — the same as full-size tomatoes.
Most cherry varieties grow as tall, vining plants that keep growing all season (sometimes reaching 2m or more) and need substantial support from planting day. A few bush types (like Tumbling Tom and Cherry Falls) stay compact and are bred specifically for pots or hanging baskets. Check the label or seed packet — the difference matters for how much space and support you'll need.
Spacing: 40–50cm between plants for vining types, slightly closer for bush types. Cherries can be planted a little tighter than full-size tomatoes because the plants are typically less heavily fruited per branch, but airflow still matters for disease prevention.
Depth: Plant deep, removing lower leaves and burying up to two-thirds of the stem. The buried stem will produce additional roots, building a stronger plant.
Support: A 1.8m stake or a tomato spiral works well for vining types. Bush types in pots need only a short stake or sometimes no support at all. Tie loosely with soft ties as the plant grows.
Soil: Same as full-size tomatoes — rich, well-composted soil with good drainage. Cherries are slightly less demanding for nutrients than full-size types but they're still hungry plants.
Pots, raised beds, or in-ground?
Cherry tomatoes are the most pot-friendly tomato variety, which makes them the obvious choice for balcony and courtyard gardeners.
In-ground works well in all suitable climates. The unrestricted root run and stable moisture make the plants robust — these are the conditions under which a single cherry tomato plant can produce hundreds of fruit over a season.
Raised beds are excellent for cherry tomatoes. The warmer soil in spring helps the plants get established quickly, and improved drainage suits the plant's preference for moist-but-not-waterlogged conditions.
Pots are where cherry tomatoes earn their reputation as the easy option. Vining cherry varieties still need a sizeable pot — at least 30 litres, preferably 40 — with a tall stake or trellis. Bush varieties bred specifically for containers (Tumbling Tom is the classic) thrive in a pot as small as 20–25 litres or in a hanging basket. The key is consistent watering and feeding — pots dry out fast and lose nutrients quickly, so water daily in hot weather and apply liquid fertiliser every 2–3 weeks. Self-watering pots are worth the investment for serious pot growers.
Sunlight & water
Full sun — 6 to 8 hours daily. Cherry tomatoes tolerate slightly less sun than full-size types and will still produce in a position with 5–6 hours, though the harvest will be smaller and slower to ripen.
Water deeply and consistently. Cherry tomatoes are slightly more forgiving of irregular watering than full-size varieties — they crack less and develop blossom end rot less often — but consistency still produces better fruit and more of it. Mulch heavily.
When and how to harvest
Pick when fruit is fully coloured and slightly soft to the touch. Cherry tomatoes ripen continuously over weeks, so plan to pick every 2–3 days during peak season. Leaving overripe fruit on the plant attracts fruit fly and slows new flower production.
Cherry tomatoes don't need to be stored — they're best eaten fresh, ideally on the day of picking. If you have a glut, they freeze well whole for cooking, or can be slow-roasted with olive oil and stored in the fridge for a week.
Common problems
Fruit fly is a more significant problem with cherry tomatoes than large tomatoes in subtropical and warm temperate climates — the small fruit is the right size to be infested through to the centre. Use exclusion bags over fruit trusses, traps in the garden (Eco-Naturalure or similar bait stations), and pick regularly. Don't leave overripe fruit on the plant.
Splitting can still occur in cherry varieties, particularly after heavy rain following a dry spell. Crack-resistant varieties like Tommy Toe and Sweet 100 are largely immune. If splitting is a recurring problem, switch to a more crack-resistant variety next season.
Wilting in heat is normal during the hottest part of the day in hot climates — the plant rehydrates overnight. Persistent wilting that doesn't recover overnight usually indicates root problems, soil that's too dry, or root-knot nematode damage.
Companion planting
Same companions as full-size tomatoes. Plant near basil, parsley, marigold, carrot. Keep away from fennel and brassicas. Cherry tomatoes are particularly good neighbours for shorter, sun-tolerant herbs that benefit from the partial shade cast by mature tomato vines.
Australian varieties
Tommy Toe — An Australian heritage variety, possibly the most reliable cherry tomato for home gardens. Bright red fruit, intensely flavoured, very disease-resistant. Vigorous vining plant. Available from heritage seed suppliers and many garden centres.
Sweet 100 — Classic red cherry, produces in long trusses of 50+ fruit each. Vigorous vines reaching 2m+. Excellent disease tolerance. Widely available.
Yellow Pear — A small, pear-shaped yellow heirloom. Mild, sweet flavour. Productive on tall vines. Good for visual interest and salads. Heritage seed suppliers.
Black Cherry — Dark purple-black fruit with rich, complex flavour. A vining type that performs best in cool temperate climates. Available from heritage seed suppliers.
Tumbling Tom (Red or Yellow) — A genuine bush variety bred for hanging baskets and pots. Compact growth, small fruit. Less productive than vining cherries but the best choice if your only option is a small container.
Sungold — Bright orange-yellow cherry with exceptional sweetness. One of the most flavoursome cherry varieties available. Productive vining plant. Available from speciality seed suppliers.
Pet safety
Pet safety information is provided as a general guide only. If your pet has consumed any plant material, contact your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 immediately.